Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV) in Kenya has announced it has secured $4.5 million in seed funding to advance its mission of revolutionizing Africa’s tourism industry through sustainable and inclusive practices powered by cutting-edge technology. The studio is focused on regenerative tourism, aiming to reduce the ecological footprint of travel while boosting biodiversity and fostering economic growth.
“This funding is a testament to the untapped potential in African tourism innovation. We’re poised to revolutionize the industry through groundbreaking travel technology, fostering economic growth while preserving Africa’s incredible natural and cultural heritage,” said Ben Peterson, co-founder and CEO of PEV.
Seed funding round
The seed funding round included investments from Clear Creek Investment B.V, Klister Corp., Fede Pirzo-Biroli (founder of Playfair Capital), Ian McCaig (former CEO of Lastminute.com) and Anthony Rock. PEV had previously received funding from the Reset Tourism Fund, launched by UnTours in 2023, to support tourism entrepreneurs driving a sustainable future. Despite challenges like limited funding in the travel tech space, the sector is seeing growth due to Africa’s expanding population and increasing interest in sustainable tourism.
PEV is working to create hospitality software-as-a-service solutions as well as energy efficient solutions, among others. It has launched five startups including Nomad Africa, a travel discover platform that focuses on eco-friendly supplies; Zafari, a booking platform; PowerTrip, a technology company that provides energy efficient appliances; and JOIN Africa, which was created with Kayak co-founder Paul English and provides support to safari guides.
With this latest funding, PEV plans to continue innovating in hospitality software-as-a-service and energy-efficient solutions, further solidifying Africa’s position as a rising hub for sustainable travel. The studio’s work reflects a broader trend of shifting toward regenerative tourism, creating opportunities for eco-conscious growth across the continent.